Although TECLA describes her music as “Tropical Electronic Pop,” I was unable to decipher any electric ukuleles or steel-drum machines in Strangers in Masks. However, the undertone of calypso and reggae rhythms tastefully layered with lush and throbbing synths did have me feeling like I was at a summery shimmery dance party on a beach on the moon. Am I contradicting myself? That’s fine. The way TECLA’s music mashes genres is so forward-thinking, it’s easy to get dizzy (and giddy). Picking up where M.I.A. left off, she weaves socially conscious and delightfully eccentric lyricism with a gift for infectious melody. You can think about it, but you don’t have to. You can just dance until your brain wakes back up. It’s that good. Download it for free here. – BrokeMC
